One interpretation of Odin’s world tree ritual is the destruction of his ego: the sacrificing of his lower self to his higher Self. The ritual is a metaphor for replacing our material limitations for the infinite potential of primordial wisdom; exchanging our mundane form for that of the almighty consciousness of Odin. Odin, as the material individual, strives to return to the source, which like Shiva or Buddha, is nothing other than his innate, true nature, beyond constructs and existing within everything. This is why Odin is known as the “Masked God” or “God of Masks,” as his shapeless state allows him to cloak himself in whatever physical form he wants, being able to shift appearances according to his worldly goals.

Names of Odin relating to this are Fjallgeiguðr (Shape God), Fjolnir (The One Who is Many), and Grimnir (Masked One). Odin, in this way, represents all possible expressions of life and exists within all sentient beings. Odin is the great animator of matter, obscured and covered up to varying degrees by the limitations of our ignorance and material attachments. By removing these obstacles one by one, Odin, as the common man, realizes and becomes his true Self; the unchanging reality which can be described as furious, terrifying, and awesome. This is why he is known as “The Terrible” or “Furious One,” as the realization of this state can be deemed nothing other than ferocious and shocking. This is identical to some names of Shiva that relate to this same phenomenon, such as Bhairava (Lord of Terror), Mahakala (Beyond Time), and Rudra (The Howler/Dreadful).

This primordial state, the formless consciousness beyond conceptual and dualistic framework, can be further represented by Odin’s one eye, which sees nothing but the true state of reality: non-dual and single focused. This pure vision shows him all things; the causes and effects of all phenomena; unaffected by time, change, or abstract forms. Odin as the “One-Eyed God” appears in many ways such as Hoárr (One Eyed), Báleygr (Flaming Eye) and Bileygr (Flashing Eye). Odin, the individual, has but one single motive: the search for ultimate wisdom/source. Further evidence for this is reflected in his names Sanngetall (Seeker of Truth), Fjǫlsviðr (Very Wise), and Forni (Ancient One).

This is the eternal Odin within us, the awareness we must all uncover if we want to transcend our worldly limitations. This formless state of being is what remains when the body falls to the wayside, remaining intact for all of eternity. Through his ritual on the world tree, Odin loses attachment to his body/shape/name and realizes his supreme nature; flooded by the ancient wisdom of the cosmos represented by the runes, poetry, and other various magical techniques.

May all sentient beings seek the source of consciousness and realize Odin within themselves.

Hailaz / Namaste